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Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

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Drápa af Máríugrát — Anon MgrVII

Anonymous Poems

Kari Ellen Gade 2007, ‘ Anonymous, Drápa af Máríugrát’ in Margaret Clunies Ross (ed.), Poetry on Christian Subjects. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 7. Turnhout: Brepols, pp. 758-95. <https://skaldic.org/m.php?p=text&i=1028> (accessed 19 March 2024)

 

Orðin gief þú mjög til mærðar,
minn lausnari, skáldi þínu,
þinnar móður mildi kunnrar,
mála örr, og hjálpa sálu.
Eini sýndir þú Áróns frænda;
aldri brann þó viðrinn kaldi;
lát þú kveikjaz lágina dróttins
leiftra skríns í hjarta mínu.
 
‘My redeemer, generous with speech, give abundantly to your poet the words for the praise of your mother, renowned for mercy, and save the soul. You showed the juniper to Aaron’s kinsman [= Moses]; yet the cold bush was never consumed [lit. never burned]; let the log of the lord of lightnings’ shrine [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] be kindled in my heart.
Gjarna vilda eg hilmis hlýrna
hróðr dýrligan að finna móður;
vænti eg hryggr, að verkann þiggi
vandað sæti heilags anda.
Umgaupnandi allrar skepnu,
orðið gief, sem eg mun krefja,
eitt eða tvau, svá að yrkja mættig
enn sem fyrr til dýrðar henni.
 
‘I would like very much to find precious praise for the mother of the ruler of the sun and the moon [= God (= Christ) > = Mary]; I hope, sorrowful, that the adorned seat of the Holy Spirit may accept the poem. Encompasser of all creation [= God], give the word which I may require, one or two, so that I can compose again as before to her glory.
Er svá komið, að ætla eg meira
öðlingur, þier, bjartra röðla
ítarligr, er öllum veitir
yndis gnógt, ef hafna syndum.
Verð eg mier að aungu orði
einhlítr, nema þið vilið beina,
sannur guð og in sælsta móðir;
sýta mun eg og iðraz lýta.
 
‘Now it has happened that I expect more from you, magnificent prince of bright suns [= God], who grants plenty of pleasure to all if they renounce sins. I cannot become self-sufficient with any word, unless you two will want to help, true God and the most blessed mother; I will lament and repent my faults.
Alloft beiddi inn elskufulli
Ögustínus með bænum fögrum
Máríu öllu fegri og frægri
fyldr af spekt, að vitraz skyldi.
Kunna vildi af harmi hennar
hann að skýra þjóð ið sanna,
þeim, er hon fekk, að þeingill himna
þoldi nauð og písl til dauða.
 
‘Very often the loving Augustine, filled with wisdom, asked Mary, fairer and more famous than anything, with fair prayers, that she should reveal herself. He wanted to be able to explain to people the truth about her grief, that which she received when the lord of the heavens [= God (= Christ)] suffered distress and torment until death.
‘Veitum lof,’ kvað göfugur gætir
góðra klerka, ‘dróttins móður;
lærðir menn og lýða ferðir,
laugum brár og kinnr í tárum.
Mætust, bið eg, að mier skuli veita
móðir dróttins alt ið góða
jungfrú glödd, er Jésús fæddi,
enn að lýsa heiminn þenna.’
 
‘‘Let us give praise to the mother of the Lord [= Mary],’ said the glorious guardian of good clerics [BISHOP = Augustine]; ‘learned men and crowds of people, let us wash eyelashes and cheeks in tears. I ask that the most magnificent mother of the Lord [= Mary], the joyous Virgin who gave birth to Jesus, should grant me everything good, yet again to illuminate this world.’
Guðs son drakk þín brjóstin bæði,
blessuð mær, að tóktu að færa
tírargjörn af tungu fornri
taldra daga í musterið valda.
Máttugt víf og móðir dróttins,
mætan ofrar himna gæti;
son þinn taldi Síméon þenna
sannan guð og in helga Anna.
 
‘God’s son [= Christ] drank from both your breasts, blessed Virgin, whom you, glory-eager, brought into the excellent temple in the days stipulated by the ancient tongue. Mighty lady and mother of the Lord [= Mary], you hand over the glorious guardian of the heavens [= God (= Christ)]; Simeon and the holy Anna declared this son of yours the true God.
Flýðir þú með son þinn síðan,
svanninn, undan Heródes fundi;
váðamaðrinn vildi dauða
vinna honum, ef næði að finna.
Fróni á í faðmi þínum
fögnuðinn bartu allra bragna;
full miskunnin frægri öllu,
fæddir, Máría, hann og klæddir.
 
‘Lady, later you fled with your son away from an encounter with Herod; the dangerous man wished to inflict death upon him, if he managed to find him. On earth you carried the delight of all men [= Christ] in your arms; Mary, complete grace more famous than anything, you fed him and clothed him.
Branda hlynr má eingi undra,
— Ögustínus rieð slíkt að tína
lýða sveit — að mær og móðir
mildum lausnara fylgja vildi.
Treysti eg því, og trúir það presta*
tíginn valdr, að skildiz aldri
ágætt sprund, er Júðar píndu
eingason, við himna þeingil.
 
‘No maple of swords [WARRIOR] can marvel that the Virgin and mother wanted to accompany the merciful redeemer; Augustine told such to a host of people. I trust in that, and the esteemed ruler of priests [BISHOP = Augustine] believes it, that the splendid woman never parted from the lord of the heavens [= God (= Christ)] when the Jews tortured her only son.
Blíð og fögr sem björt og tígin
brúðrin sæt og drotning mætust
dróttins kom með dýrð að hitta
dægra sætis munka gæti.
Sýndiz móðir sunnu grundar
siklings þá með ljósi miklu
ítarlig með ilm og sætu
Ögustíno í skrúða fögrum.
 
‘The sweet bride of the lord of the seat of days and nights [SKY/HEAVEN > = God > = Mary] and the most glorious queen, gentle and fair, as well as bright and noble, came with splendour to seek the guardian of monks [BISHOP = Augustine]. The mother of the ruler of the sun’s land [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ) > = Mary] then revealed herself to Augustine with a great light, magnificent, with fragrance and sweetness in fair apparel.
Máría kvaddi mítra stýri:
‘Mætur vinr ertu eingla gætis,’
miskunnar, ‘og minn að sönnu,’
móðir talar svá * blessuð, fróðan.
‘Biðr þú það, sem aungva aðra
áðr hefir fýst á grýttu láði;
háleit skal eg með helgum vilja
hylli lýðs þíns gjarna fylla.
 
‘Mary greeted the learned commander of mitres [BISHOP = Augustine]: ‘Indeed you are a valued friend of the guardian of angels [= God (= Christ)] and myself’; thus speaks the blessed mother of mercy [= Mary]. ‘You ask that which no one else has earlier desired on the graveled earth; sublime, I shall readily complete the friendship of your people with holy will.
‘Grætiligt er að inna ýtum
angr og harm, er eg fekk inn langa
frjádag þann, er fylki sunnu
fleinhristendr á krossinn nistu.
Síðan, er mig heim á himna
heilagr leiddi skepnu deilir
einglar fyrir mier sætt lof sungu
síð og árla, en lokið er stríði.
 
‘‘It is painful to tell people about the sorrow and suffering which I felt that Good Friday [lit. long Friday], when spear-shakers [WARRIORS] nailed the ruler of the sun [= God (= Christ)] onto the Cross. Later, when the holy ordainer of creation [= God (= Christ)] led me home into the heavens, the angels sang sweet praise before me late and early, and the suffering has ceased.
‘Föstudaginn með frægum Kristi
fyst rieð eg við tveimur systrum
mínum og svá Magdaléna
Máría að fylgja dróttni várum.
Guðs son er til dráps og dauða
dæmdi Pilátus lýðs að vilja,
Júðar leiddu hann og hæddu
hlógu og glödduz; þar með slógu.
 
‘‘On Friday [lit. fast-day] next to famous Christ I first decided to follow our Lord with my two sisters and so also Mary Magdalene. When Pilate sentenced the son of God [= Christ] to execution and death at the wish of the people, the Jews led him away and mocked him, laughed and rejoiced; in addition, they beat him.
‘Lausnara sjálfan lofts og himna
leit eg vísliga bera til píslar
hjálpar sier á herðum stólpa
hölda trie, það er Júðar völdu.
Lietta eg honum, sem mest eg mátta;
mundum tók eg krossinn undir;
helgum guði var eg fús að fylgja
fram mínum til staðarins pínu.
 
‘‘I certainly saw the redeemer of the air and the heavens [= Christ] himself carry the pillar of salvation [CROSS] on his shoulders to the torment, the tree of men [CROSS], which the Jews selected. I relieved him as best I could; I grasped beneath the Cross with my hands; I was eager to follow my holy God forward to the place of torture.
‘Gyðinga fólk með grimd og háði
geingu að og hræktu á leingi;
bundu, meiddu, börðu og hæddu
bæði mann og guð várn sannan.
Virðar grimmir vísi dýrðar
völdu allskyns písla fjölda;
bjart gjör eg, að mitt brjóst og herðar
bar það angr, að eg mátta ei ganga.
 
‘‘The people of the Jews went at it with ferocity and scorn and spat on him for a long time; they bound, wounded, beat and mocked both the man and our true God. Cruel men selected a multitude of all kinds of torments for the prince of splendour [= God (= Christ)]; I make it clear that my breast and shoulders carried that pain, so that I could not walk.
‘Halir á krossinn hilmi* sólar
hófu, en keyrðu í ristr og lófa
stinnoddaða af stáli gadda;
stórlig aungvit á mig fóru.
Hvergi mátti eg fyrir harmi og sorgum
hræra mig, sem dauð eg væra,
angri fyld og lá eg svá leingi;
laugaðig brár og kinnr í tárum.’
 
‘‘Men lifted the ruler of the sun [= God (= Christ)] onto the Cross, and drove stiff-pointed spikes of steel into the insteps and the palms; great swoons came upon me. I could not at all move myself because of distress and sorrows, as if I were dead, and I lay thus for a long time, filled with anguish; I washed eyelashes and cheeks in tears.’
Stillir, heyrðu, störnuhallar;
stef væri eg þier búinn að færa
einkar mætt, ef eg má hitta
orðagnótt að vilja dróttins.
Öllum hlutum er æðri og sælli
eilífligastr skepnu deilir;
honum sie dýrð á himni og jörðu;
hann er hæri en gjörvalt annað.
 
‘Listen, lord of the star-hall [SKY/HEAVEN > = God]; I would be ready to bring you an extremely splendid refrain, if I can find a richness of words according to the Lord’s will. The most eternal ordainer of creation [= God] is more distinguished and blessed than all things; glory be to him in heaven and on earth; he is higher than everything else.
Máríu orð er mörg að skýra
mjög grætilig þjóð, en sæta,
máttuligrar móður dróttins,
meir enn hrein rieð slíkt að greina:
‘Því líkast var mier, sem mækir
mundi bjartr í gegnum hjarta
standa mitt, er eg Jésús undir
allar leit með benja sveita.
 
‘There are many, very distressful [lit. tearful] words of Mary, the mighty mother of the Lord [= Mary], to explain to people, and the pure lady again later proceeded to tell such things: ‘It was for me just as if a bright sword were to stand through my heart when I saw all Jesus’ wounds with the sweat of injuries [BLOOD].
‘Hjálpar fúss, er hiekk á krossi,
hýrliga til mín eingla stýrir
leit og bað mig lietta gráti:
“Lítumz við á deginum þriðja.
Efalaus vertu, að upp mun eg rísa,”
öðlingr talar svá bjartra röðla,
“— móðir, trú því, mín — af dauða;
minnig vertu, að þig skal eg finna.”’
 
‘‘Salvation-eager, as he hung on the Cross, the controller of angels [= God (= Christ)] looked warmly at me and told me to stop the weeping: “We shall see each other on the third day; be without doubt that I will rise up from death,” thus speaks the prince of bright suns [= God (= Christ)], “my mother, believe that; be mindful that I shall find you.”’
Píndr var Kristur, barðinn og bundinn;
blóðið stökk á Jésús móður;
gjörvöll leit þá sæl og sætust
sárin dróttins blessuð Máría.
Eingis manns fær orkað tunga
jarðligs nein fyrir þjóð að greina
stríð og eymd, er mær og móðir
* mætust bar þá eingla gætis.
 
‘Christ was tortured, beaten and bound; the blood splattered on the mother of Jesus [= Mary]; blessed Mary, blissful and most sweet, then saw the entire wounds of the Lord. No tongue of any earthly man can manage to explain before people the distress and anguish which the most glorious Virgin and mother of the guardian of angels [= God (= Christ) > = Mary] then bore.
Ítarligr er öllum betri
eingla grundar blessaðr þeingill;
lýðr er allur leiftra stillis
lofi dýrligstu skyldr að ofra.
Öllum hlutum er æðri og sælli
eilífligastr skepnu deilir;
honum sie dýrð á himni og jörðu;
hann er hæri en gjörvalt annað.
 
‘The glorious, blessed lord of the land of angels [SKY/HEAVEN > = God] is better than everyone; all people are obliged to lift up the most precious praise of the prince of lightnings [= God]. The most eternal ordainer of creation [= God] is more distinguished and blessed than all things; glory be to him in heaven and on earth; he is higher than everything else.
‘Þegnar gjörðu þraungva og harða
þyrnis korónu stilli hlýrna;
buðu honum þá með blygð og háði
bannaðir Júðar slíkt og annað.
Hjarta mitt, er eg horfða á þetta,
hræraz tók, því son minn kæri
dýrligr virði miklu meira
mína eymd en píslir sínar.’
 
‘‘Men made a tight and hard crown of thorns for the prince of the sun and moon [= God (= Christ)]; the cursed Jews offered him that and other such things with shame and scorn. My heart began to tremble as I looked at this, because my dear son, the precious one, heeded my anguish much more than his own torments.’
Bragnings talar svá brúðrin signuð
byrjar hválfs af sinni álfu
full miskunnar frægri allri
fljóða sveit við skírðar þjóðir:
‘Hvar viti þier, það er harm ber meiri,
heimligt fljóð, en dróttins móðir;
að sönnu er mier, sem stálið stinna
standi bjart í gegnum hjarta.
 
‘The blessed bride of the lord of the vault of fair wind [SKY/HEAVEN > = God > = Mary] speaks thus for her part, full of mercy, more famous than the entire host of women, to baptised people: ‘Where do you know of an earthly woman who bears more grief than the mother of the Lord [= Mary]; indeed, it is for me as if the rigid steel stands bright through my heart.
‘* Krisnum á sig lýð til lausnar
lofðung hauðrs tók písl og dauða
sólar; tók að sínum vilja
syndalauss með fullu yndi.
Ætti guði að þakka þetta
þjóðin öll,’ kvað dróttins móðir,
‘lærðir menn til lofs og dýrðar
laungum prýð*i honum ýmsa saungva.’
 
‘‘The lord of the land of the sun [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] took upon himself torture and death for the salvation of Christian people; sinless, he accepted it of his own will with full pleasure. All people ought to thank God for this’, said the mother of the Lord [= Mary], ‘may learned men for a long time ornament various songs to his praise and glory.’
Guðs sonar minniz dráps og dauða
dróttin skírð við hrygð og ótta
frjádag hvern með vándra vörnun
verka í saung og tárum sterkum.
Öllum hlutum er æðri og sælli
eilífligastr skepnu deilir;
honum sie dýrð á himni og jörðu;
hann er hæri en gjörvalt annað.
 
‘May the baptised retinue recall the killing and death of the son of God [= Christ] in song with sorrow and fear every Friday, with avoidance of wicked deeds and with vigorous tears. The most eternal ordainer of creation [= God] is more distinguished and blessed than all things; glory be to him in heaven and on earth; he is higher than everything else.
Heyrið það, er heilug Máría
hjálpargladdan Jésúm kvaddi:
‘Skjöldungr, lát mig skilja aldri,
skýja hauðrs, við þig lífs nie dauðan.
Er það vón, að unni eg meira
eingietnum syni Kristi hreinum
en þau sprund, er ala með syndum
eldi sín með harm og pínu.’
 
‘Hear that with which holy Mary greeted salvation-cheered Jesus: ‘Lord of the land of clouds [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)], let me never part from you alive or dead. It is to be expected, that I should love my only-begotten son, the pure Christ, more than those women who bear their children in sins with sorrow and torment.’
Máttugr anzar mána stiettar
móður sinni stillir þjóðar:
‘Ítrust, skal þín, jungfrú, gæta
Jón postuli, meðan lifir á fróni.
Grát eigi þú, móðir mætust,
mína kvöl nie sára pínu;
líknarfúss mun eg leysa í þessu
lýð og heim,’ kvað eingla prýðir.
 
‘The mighty prince of the people of the moon’s path [SKY/HEAVEN > ANGELS > = God (= Christ)] answers his mother: ‘John the Apostle shall guard you, most splendid Virgin, while you live on earth. Most glorious mother, do not weep for my pain and bitter torment; mercy-eager, I will redeem mankind and the world by this,’ said the adorner of angels [= God (= Christ)].
‘Ráðinn er eg að rækta móður;
rísa mun eg upp,’ kvað sólar vísir,
‘leiða oss til lífs af dauða;
lystur skal eg að sjá þig fysta.
Kát vertú, því að kem á móti,
kraftfim, þier af björtum himni;
gjarna skal eg með gleði á hlýrni
glæstum skipa þier mier ið næsta.’
 
‘‘I am determined to take care of my mother; I shall rise up,’ said the ruler of the sun [= God (= Christ)], ‘[and] lead us to life from death; I shall [be] eager to see you first. Be cheerful, because I shall come to meet you from bright heaven, power-deft one; I shall readily with joy place you next to me in the gleaming heaven.’
Höll ítarlig himna stillis,
hásæti valið aldar gætis
giftu fyld og guðdóms krafti,
giefi mier orð til þinna stefja.
Yfirþjóðkonungs allra jöfra
öllu góðu í himna höllu
ræðr og stýrir mær og móðir
Máría sæl hjá dróttni várum.
 
‘May the glorious hall of the prince of the heavens [= God (= Christ)], the chosen high-seat of the guardian of people [= God (= Christ)], filled with luck and the power of the Godhead, give me words for your refrains. The Virgin and mother of the supreme king of all princes [= God (= Christ) > = Mary] rules and governs everything good in the hall of the heavens, blessed Mary, next to our Lord.
‘Heyri þjóð,’ kvað heilug Máría,
‘hvessu eg gáða að orðum þessum;
mier var æ því harmrinn hæri;
herra míns tók líf að þverra.
Læriföðurinn lagði á síðu
Longínus fyrir augum mínum;
næsta bar eg svá nóga í brjósti
nauð, að mier var búið við dauða.
 
‘‘May people hear,’ said holy Mary, ‘how I cared about these words; to me the grief was ever the greater; the life of my Lord began to wane. Longinus pierced the teacher in the side before my eyes; next I bore such abundant anguish in my breast that I was prepared for death.
‘Skylt er að tjá, það er mildingr mælti
mána hauðrs í písl við dauða:
“Þystir mig,” kvað herra inn hæsti
hlýrna; má það aldri fyrnaz.
Geira lundar galli blandað
gumna þjóðir skapara bjóða
vínið súrt, en harm í hjarta
hafða eg riett, sem edik krafði.’
 
‘‘I am obliged to tell what the ruler of the land of the moon [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] said in his Passion near death: “I thirst,” said the highest lord of the sun and moon [= God (= Christ)]; that can never be forgotten. The trees of spears [WARRIORS], the crowds of men, offer the Creator the sour wine mixed with gall, as if he had asked for vinegar, and I had torment right in my heart.’
Mæla frá eg það sikling sólar
seinast, enn sem eg má greina:
‘Anda minn fel eg yðr á hendi,
eilífr faðir,’ kvað skepnu deilir.
Lofsæll dó til lausnar öllum
lýð Jésús, sem guðspjöll þýða,
langa frjádag; lof guðs syngja
lærðir menn og öðrum kenna.
 
‘I learned that the lord of the sun [= God (= Christ)] said that at the last, as I yet shall tell: ‘Eternal father, into your hand I commend my spirit,’ said the ordainer of creation [= Christ]. Praise-blessed Jesus died on Good Friday [lit. long Friday] for the redemption of all people, as the gospels explain; learned men sing the praise of God and teach it to others.
Ítar*ligr og öllum mætri
— ár og friðr sie skapara várum —
máttugr giefr inn mildi dróttinn
móður sinni alt ið góða.
Yfirþjóðkonungs allra jöfra
öllu góðu í himna höllu
ræðr og stýrir mær og móðir
Máría sæl hjá dróttni várum.
 
‘The generous Lord, mighty, glorious and more splendid than all, gives his mother everything good; may there be prosperity and peace for our Creator. The Virgin and mother of the supreme king of all princes [= God (= Christ) > = Mary] rules and governs everything good in the hall of the heavens, blessed Mary, next to our Lord.
Heyri þjóð, það er heilug Máría
hýrlig sagði merkja stýri:
‘Skynlaus óaðiz skaparans dauða
skepna öll með konum og köllum.
Hristiz jörð, en björgin brustu;
beimar áttu dimt í heimi;
jafnvel misti sólin sæta
sína birti og mátti ei skína.
 
‘Let people hear what friendly, holy Mary said to the controller of symbols [BISHOP = Augustine]: ‘All inanimate creation, along with women and men, was afraid at the death of the Creator. The earth shook and mountains shattered; men had darkness [lit. had (it) dark] in the world; the sweet sun likewise lost its brightness and could not shine.
‘Lausnara várs tók lík af krossi
lærisveinn, og var eg þá næri,
íturs Krists, er Jósép heitir,
ástarmjúkr og vafði í dúki.
Fýsti oss að faðma og kyssa,’
fróðust talar svá dróttins móðir,
‘mínar systr og Magdaléna
mána hauðurs stilli dauðan.
 
‘‘A loving disciple of glorious Christ, who is called Joseph, took the body of our redeemer from the Cross and wrapped it in cloth, and I was near then. We, my sisters and Magdalene, were eager to embrace and kiss the dead lord of the land of the moon [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)]’; thus speaks the most wise mother of the Lord [= Mary].
‘Síðan huldi lík í leiði
láða* runna* hilmis sunnu;
æstr var harmr, er eg Jésús mista;
aldri kom mier neitt að haldi.
Leið svá fram,’ kvað lofðungs móðir,
‘langa stund, að eg mátta ei ganga;
hvílaz vilda eg,’ himna veldis,
‘heiðar tjalds við stillis leiði.
 
‘‘Then he hid the body of the lord of the trees of the lands of the sun [SKY/HEAVEN > ANGELS > = God (= Christ)] in the tomb; the grief was the greatest when I lost Jesus; never did anything come to my support. Thus it went for a long time’, said the mother of the ruler of the realm of the heavens [= God (= Christ) > = Mary], ‘that I could not walk; I wished to rest by the tomb of the lord of the heath’s tent [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)].
‘Efalaus var eg, að upp mun*i rísa,
ein þváttdaginn, Kristr inn hreini’;
þjóðir halda því nú síðan
þenna dag til dýrðar henni.
Yfirþjóðkonungs allra jöfra
öllu góðu í himna höllu
ræðr og stýrir mær og móðir
Máría sæl hjá dróttni várum.
 
‘‘I alone was without doubt on the Saturday [lit. wash-day], that the pure Christ would rise up’; therefore people now afterwards hold this day in her honour. The Virgin and mother of the supreme king of all princes [= God (= Christ) > = Mary] rules and governs everything good in the hall of the heavens, blessed Mary, next to our Lord.
Veiti hilmir vænnar stiettar
viðrkvæmilig orð í slæminn
—þetta kvæði þinnar móður
þekk kjósi smíð— bjartrar sólar.
‘Enn hlýð mier,’ kvað Jésús móðir,
‘Ögustínus, er tárin fögru,’
gæzkumild, ‘að greina skyldig,
gaft út, fyrir þier leynda krafta.
 
‘May the prince of the splendid path of the bright sun [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] grant suitable words in the final part; may a pleasing structure select this poem of your mother’s. ‘Again, listen to me,’ said the beneficent [lit. good-will generous] mother of Jesus [= Mary], ‘Augustine, who gave forth fair tears so that I should divulge secret marvels before you.
‘Ræsir prúðr, er reis af dauða,
regna borgar, páskamorgin,
sýndi mier öll sár og undir
sín, en glöð varð eg, fyrr en öðrum.
Gráti mínum gleði á móti
guð vildi svá skipa inn mildi;
geymir vagns, á grundu og himni,
giefr mier alt, það er eg vil krefja.
 
‘‘The splendid ruler of the stronghold of rains [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)], who rose from death on Easter morning, showed all his wounds and injuries to me before others, and I became glad. Thus the generous God wanted to render joy in return for my weeping; the keeper of the wagon [= God] gives me all that I want to ask for on earth and in heaven.
‘Grátinn minn,’ kvað jungfrú ítrust,
‘öld várkynni mier,’ með tárum,
‘yndið er með iðran synda
yðvart líf,’ segir gimsteinn vífa.
‘Naðarénus fyrir nauðsyn yðra
náði Jésús dauða bráðum
(sólar konungs) að sínum vilja
(syndalausnar biðið og yndis).’
 
‘‘May mankind forgive me for my weeping,’ said the most splendid Virgin with tears, ‘the pleasure lies in [lit. is] your life with repentance of sins,’ says the gemstone of women. ‘Jesus of Nazareth obtained sudden death of his own will because of your need; pray for redemption of sins and the pleasure of the king of the sun [= God (= Christ)].’
Prúðlig verk fyrir píslar marki
pátris déí formið gráti;
sonar guðs oft í saung og bænum
sára minniz þjóð með tárum.
Hneigið yðr fyrir lærðum lýðum
langa stund með skriftagangi;
bekkr iðranar ór brjósti klökku
bragna* laugi kinnr og augu.
 
‘Perform glorious deeds with weeping before the sign of the Passion of God the father [CROSS]; may people often recall the wounds of the son of God [= Christ] with tears in song and prayers. Prostrate yourselves for a long time before learned people in confession; may the brook of repentance [TEARS] from the agitated breast wash the cheeks and eyes of men.
Mána strandar munki einum
móðir birti dróttins fróðum
fagnaði sína fimm, er þegnar
frægðarsvinnir jafnan minnaz.
Líkn og hjálp tók lýðs að reikna
lyndishrein með gleði og yndi
þýð og mild fyrir þessum bróður;
þetta greinir, sú er eyðir meinum.
 
‘The mother of the lord of the moon’s beach [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ) > = Mary] revealed her five joys to one wise monk, as fame-wise men always recall. The mercy and salvation of people [= Mary], pure of mind, kind and gentle, began to count with joy and pleasure before this brother; [she] describes this, who puts an end to evil.
Hvern dag fimm vil eg heyra snemma
höfuðfagnaði grams kveða bragna
móður; bið eg, að mínir lýðir
minniz þeira orða svinnir.
Kenna mun eg þá alla og inna
— orð sönn eru það — lærðum mönnum;
næsta er skylt, að nemi sem flestir
nýtar bænir kristnir ýtar.
 
‘Every day early I want to hear men recite the five supreme joys of the mother of the ruler [= Mary]; I pray that my wise people recall those words. I will teach them all and tell them to learned men; those are true words; next it is necessary that as many Christian people as possible learn the useful prayers.
‘Fystan tel eg þann fögnuð hæstan;
fann eingill mig sólar þeingils;
hann sendi mier helgan anda
háleitan með gleði og teiti.
Glöddumz eg, þá er skaparinn skrýddi
skýfoldar sig mínu holdi,
meistari alls fyrir mínu brjósti,
mær var eg guðs, svá að hvern dag bærðiz.
 
‘‘As the first I count that highest joy; the angel of the lord of the sun [= God] visited me; he sent me the sublime Holy Spirit with joy and cheer. I became glad, when the creator of the cloud-land [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] adorned himself in my flesh, so that the master of the universe [= God (= Christ)] stirred each day beneath my breast; I was the Virgin of God.
‘Finn eg minn þann fögnuð annan;
fæddi eg Krist, er heiminn græddi,
jólanótt að eins guðs vilja
öllum lýð til sálu prýði.
Síðan reikna eg þann inn þriðja,
þeyja borgar páskamorginn
ríkr og fróðr er reis af dauða
ræsir ítr, sem mátta eg líta.
 
‘‘I find that to be my second joy: I gave birth to Christ, who delivered the world, on Christmas night by the will of the one God for the glory of the soul of all people. Then I count that as the third, when the splendid ruler of the stronghold of warm winds [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)], powerful and wise, rose from death on Easter morning, as I could see.
‘Guð stie upp af grýttu láði
gæzkufimr á bjarta himna;
lofaður sitr um aldr og æfi
eilífr á veg skepnu deilir.
Ítarligr kom mier á móti
minn son guð með allri sinni
hirð ágætri himna dýrðar;
* hóf mig upp á sínum lófa.
 
‘‘Merciful [lit. goodness-deft] God ascended from the graveled ground into the bright heavens; the eternal, praised ordainer of creation [= God (= Christ)] sits forever and ever in glory. My magnificent son, God, came to meet me with all his famous retinue of the splendour of the heavens [ANGELS]; he lifted me up in his palm.
‘“Leiða skal eg þig, Máría móðir
mín, í dýrð”, kvað skepnu tínir,
“heiðr og vald og í himna prýði
hæsta; skipa eg þig mier ið næsta.”
Meiri dýrð þá eg miklu af hirði
mána bryggju, en nokkurt hyggi
mannligt brjóst, þó að margt gott kunni’;
mætust talar svá himnesk sæta.
 
‘‘“I shall lead you, my mother Mary,” said the mover of creation [= God (= Christ)], “into glory, honour and might and into the highest splendour of the heavens; I place you next to me.” I received much more glory from the guardian of the pier of the moon [= God (= Christ) > ] than any human breast may imagine, although it may know much good’; thus speaks the most magnificent heavenly lady [= Mary].
‘Gjör svá vel,’ kvað göfgust Máría,
‘gleði mig þjóð með eingils kveðju;
langar mig til, að á lýða tungu
lieki jafnan Dóminus técum.
Lítið hier, að laun á móti
lúkaz skulu, ef beðið er sjúkum
himna gæti heilsubótar;
heiti eg yðr, að líkn skal veita.’
 
‘‘Be so good,’ said most excellent Mary, ‘may men please me with the greeting of the angel [= Hail Mary]; I long that “the Lord is with you” shall always play on people’s tongue. See here, that rewards shall be paid in return, if people pray [lit. it is prayed] to the guardian of the heavens [= God (= Christ)] for a cure for the sick; I promise you that [he] shall grant mercy.’
Mönnum eru slík heitin hennar
harðla væn, en tár og bænir
helgar láti hverr maðr fylgja
hjarta klökku og iðran bjarta.
Regnsals skulu vier ræsi tígna
rausnsaman oss til syndalausnar;
honum gjöri dýrð á himni og jörðu
hverskyns þjóð og dróttins móður.
 
‘Such promises of hers are very hopeful for men, and may each man let tears and holy prayers and pure repentance accompany the agitated heart. We must honour the magnificent ruler of the rain-hall [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)] for our redemption from sins; may all kinds of people provide glory to him and to the mother of the Lord [= Mary] in heaven and on earth.
Þurt er mier í hring um hjarta,
hvarma lón þó að renni af sjónum;
svik eru slíkt og synda auki
sárr, ef hrósa eg slíkum tárum.
Hlotnaz láttu hjálparvatnið,
hreggskríns jöfurr, svá nægi mínu;
hryni sú mier með helgum bænum
hvarma laugin út af augum.
 
‘It is dry around my heart, although the pool of the eyelids [TEARS] runs from my eyes; such is the deceit and bitter increase of sins, if I praise such tears. Prince of the storm-shrine [SKY/HEAVEN > = God (= Christ)], let the salvation-water be allotted, so that it is sufficient for me; may that cleansing-water of the eyelids [TEARS] flow out of my eyes with holy prayers.
Dýrka skyldi af allri orku
almætastan himna gæti;
skylda er það fyrir skírðar aldir;
skapari sannr er hann allra manna.
Veittu mier þá, inn dýrsti dróttinn,
dýrðar grein, að hitti eg hreina
fjörtjóns stund, svá að fúlir andar
fyndi aungvar með mier syndir.
 
‘One must worship the most glorious guardian of the heavens [= God] with all might; that is an obligation for baptised people; he is the true creator of all men. Most precious Lord, grant me that portion of glory, that I may encounter a pure hour of life-loss, so that foul spirits might not find any sins in me.
Bið eg þig, Kristr, og blessuð móðir,
bæði ykkr, að þetta kvæði
launið mier, er lífi týnig;
lærifaðirinn, statt þá næri.
Ítr, leittu mig, Jésús dróttinn,
undan hörðum djöfla fundi
— mun eg þá kjósa mærðar launin —
mína sál í gæzku þína.
 
‘I ask you, Christ, and blessed mother, you both, that you reward me for this poem, when I lose my life; teacher, stand nearby then. Magnificent Lord Jesus, lead me away from the harsh meeting with devils, my soul into your goodness; then I may choose the rewards for my praise-poem.
Sæll, hjálpa mier, sólar stillir
sóma prýddr, á efsta dómi;
ýtum bið eg þig öllum veita
alt gott með þier, lofaður dróttinn.
Allir bið eg menn, að minniz
Máríu vess, og lesi með tárum,
móður guðs, og dróttins dauða,
dreyra þess, er Grátinn heyra.
 
‘Blessed ruler of the sun [= God (= Christ)], adorned with honour, help me at the Last Judgement; I ask you to grant all men everything good with you, praised Lord. I ask all men who hear the Lament, that they remember the verse of Mary [= Hail Mary] and read it with tears, [that they remember] the mother of God [= Mary] and the death of the Lord, his blood.
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Information about a text: poem, sequence of stanzas, or prose work

This page is used for different resources. For groups of stanzas such as poems, you will see the verse text and, where published, the translation of each stanza. These are also links to information about the individual stanzas.

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